Celebrate Earth Day every day with these healthy activities that are good for you and the environment:
- Unplug the treadmill. When the weather is nice, skip the treadmill, elliptical machine or stationary bike. Save energy—and get some fresh air—by walking, running or bike riding outdoors.
- Play at the park. Why let the kids have all the fun? Swing from the monkey bars, join in a soccer game, toss the Frisbee or play a game of catch with your kids. Want a more serious workout? Walk or jog the park and then do crunches and push-ups on a bench.
- Ban the bottle. Drinking water is good for you, but the millions of disposable water bottles clogging up our landfills are not good for the environment. (The cost isn’t great for your wallet either.) Your best bet is to keep filling up a favorite cup or non-disposable bottle with plain, free, earth-friendly tap water.
- Plant a garden. You’ll burn calories as you dig, plant, mulch, weed and harvest your garden. Make it a vegetable garden, and you’ll improve your diet, too.
- Park the car. Walk or bike to work instead. If you have to drive, park far away from the building. You’ll get in extra steps and save gas by not driving in circles for the perfect spot.
- Recycle fitness. If you’re looking for exercise equipment, consider buying used items from friends, the newspaper or a second-hand store. When you’re done, donate your equipment to a charity, a friend or a recycle/refurbish program. Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program, for example, turns old shoes into tennis courts, running tracks and playgrounds. You may also find recycling programs for yoga mats, tennis racquets and other equipment near you.
- Volunteer. Many organizations will host special events in honor of Earth Day—to pick up litter, plant trees or hold recycling drives. Volunteer to get moving, meet new people, benefit the environment and have fun.
Published: April 2013
